Elahe Gharehkhani , Marzieh Megharad, Mahboube Rahmati Kukandeh , Mohammad Shokrzadeh ,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Due to high metabolic activity and rich blood supply, the kidneys are exposed to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under pathological conditions, making them highly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Nephrotoxic agents, such as cisplatin, aminoglycosides, and radiocontrast agents induce the production of ROS in renal tubular cells, leading to lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study was conducted to determine the protective effect of L-arginine against amikacin-induced nephrotoxicity in normal African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero) by evaluating oxidative stress parameters.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical in vitro study was conducted on Vero cell lines purchased from the National Genetic Resources Cell Bank. For all assays, the amount of cultured calls was 105. Prior to the induction of nephrotoxicity with amikacin (653.2 µg/mL), the cells were pre-treated for 24 hours with various concentrations of L-arginine (108, 216, 430, and 860 µM). Subsequently, to evaluate the effect of L-arginine on oxidative stress status, the variables of malondialdehyde (MDA), cell viability, and ROS were measured.
Results: In the assays for ROS levels and cell viability, all tested concentrations of L-arginine (108, 216, 430, and 860 µM) resulted in a significant reduction in ROS levels (30±1.5, 28±1.4, 25±1.2, and 21±1.0, respectively) and a significant increase in cell viability (55±5.2, 64±3.8, 72±2.9, and 84±4.7, respectively) (P<0.05). Regarding measurement tests of lipid peroxidation, L-arginine at 108 µM did not significantly reduce MDA levels; however, other concentrations (216, 430, and 860 µM) significantly decreased MDA levels to 0.80±0.02, 0.74±0.03, and 0.66±0.01, respectively (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the ability of L-arginine to improve kidney cell viability parameters and increase glutathione (GSH) levels at all tested concentrations (108, 216, 430, and 860 µM). Furthermore, L-arginine at concentrations of 216, 430, and 860 µM significantly reduced lipid peroxidation.
